Handling apparatus



1936- N. P. E. ANDERSEN HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet l 5 J0 INVENTOR.

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6.153140, 77 mm V ATTORNEY} Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES FATENTOFFICE HANDLING APPARATUS Application December 10, 1934, Serial No.756,731

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a special type of crane equipment particularlydesigned and adapted for handling extremely heavy objects which operatein such crowded quarters that 5 very small clearances are available whenhandling the objects. Usually also the heavy objects contemplated mustbe accurately positioned or spotted especially when being assembled.

For example, in hydroelectric power plants,

H) such as the one now in course of construction at Boulder Dam,electric generators are positioned well above the turbines which'aredisposed a substantial distance below the generators and have theirturbine wheels suspended L; from a bearing adjacent the rotor whichtakes the vertical load of the system. An appreciation of themassiveness of the apparatus may be gained by bearing in mind that therotors of the generators weight approximately six hundred :50 tons, theturbine wheels are some seventy-five feet below the generators, and theshaft which suspends the turbine wheel is made up of sections eachweighing of the order of some thirty tons. The meeting ends of the shaftsections are 1 15 flanged and in the assembly the flanges are boltedtogether. Furthermore, the construction; is such that when the sectionsare unbolted and all but the uppermost section lowered as far as theymay be, there is only approximately a one- 30 inch clearance between thelower end of the uppermost section and the upper end of the next lowersection. To maintain said next lower section clear of the other shaftsection with such a small clearance available and then move it 35laterally away from said other shaft sections give rise to difliculthandling problems.

In hydroelectric plants of this character a great many generator turbinesets are employed and are spaced from each other along the power houseat the proper level. The shaft sections removed are transferredlaterally to an adjacent hatchway, released from the special crane andlifted up through the hatchway by an overhead crane operating above.

From the foregoing it will be understood that one object of theinvention is to provide a handling apparatus or special type of cranecapable durable construction and so constituted as to be readily andeasily controlled.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of theconstruction, arrangement and combination of parts which will beherein,-

after more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a partof this specification, and in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic View in elevation illustrating one embodimentof the present invention positioned in engagement with a shaft sectionto be handled;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the grapple element of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view partly in transverse vertical sectionand partly in end elevation further illustrating the crane or apparatusembodying the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the parallel link motion.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the invention proposesthe use of a crane designated generally at C. The crane C has the usualend trucks I, the wheels 2 of which ride on rails 3. The end trucks arecross connected by any conventional or suitable girders 4. Rails 5extend along the girders 4 and provide a track for trolleys 6 from whicha grapple l is suspended by cables 8. Any type of grapple may beemployed, the one shown being especially adapted for use under theconditions which the specific embodiment illustrated has been designed.However, as the grapple 1 forms no part of the invention claimed, itwill not further be described and may be taken as corresponding infunction to a hook. It may be said that when the trolleys 6 are employedthe special type of grapple, which forms the subject matter of thepresent invention, is removed from the crane. It is not necessary,however, to remove the trol leys 6 at any time in order for the specialtype of grapple to function.

This special type of grapple is designated generally at G and comprisesframe members designated at 9 and H) which are disposed in spacedparallel relation and are supported for shifting movement on the cranegirders 4.

The frame members 9 and ID are of identical construction and eachcomprises a pair of I-beams I secured together in spaced parallelrelation by suitable spacers and fastening devices, the fasteningdevices being rivets or bolts and nuts and the spacers being plates orblocks. The frame members 9 and H! are constrained to correspondingmotion by a parallel link arrangement comprising a link I5 havings itsends pivotally interconnected with the frame members in the rearwardends thereof as indicated at I6, and a link disposed adjacent to theforward ends of the frame members and pivotally interconnected therewithas indicated at I8. The link I5 is pivoted at its center to one of thecrane girders 4 by a king pin Hi. The frame members 9 and it arepositioned on the crane girders that the forward end portions 20 thereofproject beyond one of the crane girders. On these projecting endportions 20 hydraulic jacks designated generally at 2| are secured, thejacks including a cylinder 22 and a piston or plunger 23, the upper endportion of which is reduced.

At this point it should be understood that the grapple G is initiallyspotted or positioned first by movement of the crane itself so as tobring the centers of the upper reduced ends 23 of the jack plungers intoco-incidence with a line passing through these centers and through theaxis of the shaft 30. The next movement to be imparted to the forwardend of the special grapple and particularly to the upper reduced ends 23of the jacks is one along the line passing through the axis of the shaftand laterally with respect to the shaft in order that the upper reducedends of the jacks may be symmetrically positioned on the pitch circle ofthe coupling bolts connecting the vertical turbine shaft sections. Thismeans that the centers of the plungers of the jacks are symmetricallydisposed with respect to the axes of the turbine shaft and that thepoint midway between these jack plunger centers is co-axial with theturbine shaft center.

For effecting the latter motion suitable means is provided for shiftingthe special grapple about its king bolt l9. This means must be soconstituted as to exert a lateral or sideways thrust on the specialgrapple near the forward end thereof, and is shown as comprisingoppositely disposed fluid pressure motors 50 and 5|, the movementelements of which are operatively interconnected with the frame members9 and In so that these motors not only act to shift the special grapplein the manner mentioned but also to hold it in the position to which itis shifted. The particular characteristics of the means employed forexerting the lateral thrust or sideway movement is not material. Insteadof fluid pressure motors 59 and 5| screws or any other suitableinstrumentality may be employed.

After the jacks have been positioned in the manner described, it becomesnecessary to effect angular or circumferential alinement of the centersof the jack plungers with the centers of bolt holes which connect thesections. It will be understood that before such circumferential orangular shifting diametrically opposite bolts are removed in order toprovide for the insertion of the reduced ends of the jack plungersthereinto. The upper reduced ends of the jack plungers are adapted tofit into the bolt holes without any appreciable amount of play.

For shifting the side frame members 9 and IE! suitable means such asfluid pressure motors or screws designated generally at 24 and 25 areprovided. These motors are of identical construction and each comprisesa cylinder 2% pivotally interconnected with the side frame members,preferably with the pivots I8 of the link Reciprocable in the cylinders25 are pistons 27, the rods 28 of which are pivotally interconnectedwith the rear end of the special grapple which may be king pin I9.Obviously, the manner in which this motion is imparted to the side framemembers of the special grapple may be Widely varied. Suitable valvecontrolled means is provided for supplying fluid under pressure to thejacks 2| and to the cylinders of the fluid pressure motors and Byoperating the motors 24 and 25 the frame members 9 and I0 may be movedback and forth and when they so move their outer end portions move inthe arc of a circle and move in opposite directions due to the action ofthe parallel link arrangement.

When fluid pressure is supplied to the jacks 2| their plungers areelevated.

As previously indicated, the present invention in'the embodimentillustrated is designed for use in handling the heavy shaft sections ofturbine generator sets of a hydroelectric plant. In

Figures 1 and 3 the shaft of such set is designated generally at S andthe invention is shown in the operation of removing section 3!} of thisshaft. The sections of the shaft have flanged ends 3| which, in theassembly, abut and are secured together by a circumferential series ofbolts.

The shafts extend down through vertical well; or openings in the dam.Quite a number of turbine generator sets are provided on a dam of thischaracter and they are, of course, a corpose of allowing the shaftsections or other I of the turbine removed for purposes of replacementor repair to be taken to the proper level of the power house of the dam.

which the crane C rides are fixed on snotuders 32 of the tunnel T.

If it is desired to remove the section 30, the crane is run over untilthe jacks ti on the projecting ends 20 of the grapple G are supported orpositioned beneath the upper flange 3| of the shaft section 30.Diametrically opposite bolts are removed from the flanges 3| and themotors 24, 25, 5D and 5| operated to the extent neces sary to aline theupper reduced ends of the jack plunger 23 with the bolt holes from whichthe bolts have been removed. Fluid under pressure is then supplied tothe jacks 2| to cause the r plungers to elevate and engage and supportthe section 30. The remaining bolts connecting the flanges 3| of thesection 30 and the shaft sec-- tion overlying the same are then removed.jacks 2! may now be lowered through the distance allowed, which, in theinstance cited, approximately one inch. Thereupon the bolts connectingthe lower flange 3| of the section 30 With the next lowermost shaftsection are then The removed and the jacks 2| are then elevatedsufficiently to free the section 30 of the other shaft sections. Thecrane C is then backed away carrying the shaft section 30 with it untilthis shaft section is located in one of the intermediate hatchways whereit is positioned to be pickedup by a crane operating at the proper levelin the power house and raised to the desired point. A reversal of theoperation is involved in the assembly of the section 30 with the othersections. The other shaft sections and parts of the turbine may beconveniently elevated following removal of the section 3|] by means ofthe trolleys 6 and their grapples 1 and, of course, such operatingrequires the removal of the grapple G.

While I have shown and described one construction in which my inventionmay be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that thisconstruction has been selected merely forthe purposes of illustration orexample and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofthe parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the subjoined claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a crane, and a grapple on the crane consisting of a pair offrame members having end portions projecting beyond the frame andadapted to straddle the object to be handled, jacks on said end portionsfor engaging said object, a parallel link motion interconnecting theframe members and means for shifting the frame members relative to thecrane.

2. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a mobile support and a grapple on said support including apair of frame members having portions projectbeyond the mobile framemember and adapted to straddle the object to be handled, means on saidprojecting ends for engaging the object, said frame members beingshiftable with respect to said mobile frame, a parallel link motion forcontrolling the movement of which the frame members may partake, one ofsaid links being pivotally interconnected with the mobile frame members,and means for shifting said frame members, and including a fluidpressure motor having one of its elements pivotally interconnected witha pivotal connection between one of said links and the mobile framemembers and having the other of its elements pivotally interconnectedwith the connection between the other link and one of the frame members.

3. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extendingbetween and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising framemembers slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyond thesame, parallel links pivotally interconnecting said frame members, meansfor pivotally interconnecting one of said links and one of said cranegirders, and hydraulic jacks mounted on the outer ends of sa d framemembers.

4-. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extendingbetween and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising framemembers slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyond thesame, parallel links extending transversely between and pivotallyinterconnecting said frame members, means for pivotally interconnectingone of said links and one of said crane girders, the projecting ends ofsa'idframe members being adapted to straddle the objects to be handled,and means on said projecting ends for engaging said objects.

5. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extendingbetween and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising framemembers slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyond thesame, parallel links extending transversely between and pivotallyinterconnecting said frame members, means for pivotally interconnectingone of said links and one of said crane girders, the projecting ends ofsaid frame members being adapted to straddle the objects to be handled,and means on said projecting ends for engaging said object, said meansbeing vertically adjustable whereby said object may be elevated withrespect to said frame members.

6. In combination with a crane having end trucks and girders extendingbetween and supported on said end trucks, a grapple comprising rigidframe members slidably supported on said girders and projecting beyondthe same, means for constraining said frame members to correspondingmovement in opposite directions whereby the outer ends thereof may beaccurately spotted in an arcuate path, said outer ends being adapted tostraddle and engage the object tobe handled.

7. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a mobile support, and a grapple including a pair of framemembers supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support, meansfor shifting said frame members laterally of said support, and means forconstraining the outer ends of the frame members to move in arcuatepaths in a horizontal plane when the frame: members are shiftedlongitudinally.

8. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a mobile support, and a grapple including a pair of framemembers supported by and for longitudinal. movement relative to saidsupport, the outer ends of said frame members projecting beyond saidsupport and having means to engage an object to be handled. and meansfor constraining the outer ends of the frame members to move in arcuatepaths in a horizontal plane when the frame members are shiftedlongitudinally.

9. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a mobile support and a grapple including a pair of framemembers supported by and for movement relative to said support, theouter ends of said frame members projecting beyond said support andhaving means to engage an object to be handled, and means forconstraining the outer ends of theframe members to move in arcuate pathsin a horizontal plane when the frame members are shifted longitudinallyand including horizontally disposed parallel links connecting said framemembers.

10. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a mobile support and a grapple comprising a pair of framemembers supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support,parallel links extending transversely between said frame members andhaving their ends pivotally connected thereto, one of said links beingpivotally connected midway between itsends with said support.

11. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a mobile support and a grapple comprising a pair of framemembers supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support,parallel links extending transversely between said frame members andhaving their ends pivotally connected thereto, said frame members havingtheir outer ends projecting beyond said support and provided with meansfor engaging an object to be handled, the link remote from the outerends of the frame members being pivotally connected midway its ends withthe support, and means coacting with said frame members for shiftingthem laterally.

12. A machine for handling heavy objects in crowded quarters andcomprising a mobile support and a grapple comprising a pair of framemembers supported for horizontal sliding movement on said support,parallel links extending transversely bet-ween said frame members andhaving their ends pivotally connected thereto, said frame members havingtheir outer ends projecting beyond said support and provided with meansfor engaging an object to be handled, the link remote from the outerends of the frame members being pivotally connected midway its ends withthe support, and fluid pressure motors coacting with the frame membersto cause their outer ends to move in arcuate paths when the framemembers are shifted longitudinally and in opposite directions.

13. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, agrapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said cranegirders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer endsprojecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging anobject to be handled, means coacting with the frame members to constraintheir outer ends to move in curved paths and in opposite directions whensaid frame members are shifted longitudinally, and means for shiftingsaid frame members longitudinally.

14. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, agrapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said cranegirders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer endsprojecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging anobject to be handled, and a parallel link motion interconnecting saidframe members.

15. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, agrapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said cranegirders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer endsprojecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging anobject to be handled, and a parallel link motion interconnecting saidframe members, one of the links of said motion being pivotallyinterconnected with one of the crane girders for rotary movement about avertical axis.

16. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, agrapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said cranegirders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer endsprojecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging anobject to be handled, a parallel link motion interconnecting said framemembers, one of the links of said motion being pivotally interconnectedwith one of the crane girders for rotary movement about a vertical axis,and fluid pressure motors between said last-named pivotal axis and thepivotal connection between the other link of said motion and said framemembers.

1'7. In combination with a crane having end trucks and cross girders, agrapple comprising a pair of frame members supported on said cranegirders for sliding horizontal movement and having their outer endsprojecting therebeyond, said outer ends having means for engaging anobject to be handled, a parallel link motion interconnecting said framemembers, one of the links of said motion being pivotally interconnectedwith one of the crane girders for rotary movement about a vertical axis,and fluid pressure motors for shifting the frame members laterally.

18. A machine for handling heavy shaft sections of the type havingcoupling flanges designed to be bolted together in the shaft assemblyand comprising a crane, frame members shiftably supported on the craneand having their outer ends projecting beyond the crane and adapted tostraddle a shaft section, flange engaging elements supported by saidouter ends, said crane being operable to position said elements so thattheir centers coincide with a straight line passing therethrough andthrough the axis of the shaft section being handled, means for shiftingthe frame members laterally to position said elements with their centerssymmetric to the axis of said shaft section and so that a' point midwaybetween their centers is coaxial with the shaft section, and means formoving the outer ends of the frame members in arcuate paths whilemaintaining the adjustments recited so that the centers of said elementsmay be alined with the centers of said bolt holes.

NILS PETER ERIK ANDERSEN.

